EU, Switzerland sign Competition Cooperation pact By TII News Service
May 21, 2013 , Brussels
THE European Union (EU) and the Swiss Confederation have signed a deal to strengthen cooperation between their relevant competition authorities that will facilitate the two competition agencies to exchange any information obtained via investigation of the same case and will be subject to strict conditions designed to protect business secrets and personal data. The information will only be available for enforcement of competition rules in relation to the particular case.
The deal also requires that regular discussions of policy issues and enforcement efforts and priorities be held. Mutual notification will be provided of any enforcement activities likely to affect either party's interests. Finally, it will be possible to make requests to the other party to begin enforcement actions against anti-competitive behaviour in their territory. It will make competition authorities more effective, to the benefit of companies and consumers on both sides. The agreement will enter into force once it is approved by the European and Swiss Parliaments.
